Lineker urges Wenger to strengthen

Gary Lineker believes it is "essential" Arsenal sign a new striker during the transfer window if they want to challenge for major silverware.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is refusing to panic buy a replacement for Olivier Giroud, who has been ruled out until the New Year with a broken tibia.

Giroud's injury has limited Wenger's striking options to Alexis Sanchez, who is more effective as a winger, and the inexperienced Yaya Sanogo and Joel Campbell.

Lukas Podolski can play up front but has been linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium, while another possibility, Theo Walcott, is sidelined with a knee problem.

Former England marksman Lineker believes Wenger must add firepower to his squad before the transfer window closes on Monday.

"Arsenal needed to sign a forward whether Giroud was injured or not," said Lineker, who was speaking as part of Walkers' 'Do Us A Flavour' campaign.

"Now that he's injured it's essential for them really if they're to compete for major titles

"Forward is one position where they needed to strengthen. You could say in midfield too, but particularly up-front.

"If they could add a player who could guarantee 25-goals a season that would be hugely beneficial to them.

"Arsene has showed a lot of faith in Giroud and he's a good player who will score goals, but he's not hugely prolific and lacks a bit of pace to be that."

Sanchez operated as lone striker in Wednesday night's 1-0 victory over Besiktas and rewarded Wenger's faith by opening his Arsenal account with a goal that secured the Gunners' place in the Champions League group stage.

However, Lineker shares a widely-held belief that the £35million signing from Barcelona is better suited to a wider role.

"Striker isn't Sanchez's natural position, he prefers it out wide, certainly on the right-hand side of a three," Lineker said.

"I'm sure he can play striker because he's a terrific player, but I'm not sure it brings out the best in him.

"He's better when he's facing people and going at them, rather than having his back to goal."

Sanchez was superb against Besiktas with a glaring second-half miss failing to devalue an energetic performance full of desire and commitment.

The Chilean's team-mate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was impressed by his shift and believes Arsenal will cope without Giroud.

"Losing Olivier is a massive blow for us because he's a great player, but Alexis played absolutely unbelievably against Besiktas," Oxlade-Chamberlain said.

"I did not realise a man as small as Alexis could hold the ball up so well against big defenders. He did it unbelievably well all night.

"There are players in the squad who can fill that role. We have got Theo coming back as well. Whoever is playing up front, I'm sure they will be confident of filling that role."

Arsenal secured a 17th successive campaign in the group stage of the Champions League, a prize that generates £25million in income, but rode their luck at the Emirates Stadium.

"Being in the Champions League is massive. Sometimes it seems like everything," Oxlade-Chamberlain said.

"For us as players, we put that expectation on ourselves because we want to be playing in the Champions League.

"We know how hard we worked at the end of last season to make sure we get in the position to give ourselves this chance this season, and we really did not want to waste that."

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